Senator Orr grant presentation for Scout House

ATHENS-Senator Arthur Orr visited the 1930s-era Scout House on Friday, March 10 and presented Mayor Ronnie Marks with a $1,500 community service grant to go toward renovation efforts.

The City of Athens has leased the iconic but empty structure to Athens Arts League and challenged volunteers to raise money to renovate it and turn it into a music venue. This will be a venue for house concerts, a student music lab, collaboration site for local fine arts programs, and to honor Limestone County’s musical heritage.

Friends of the Scout House Committee is spearheading this project for Athens Arts League, and already raised enough funds to restore the front facade and add drought tolerant landscaping.

The project has garnered partnerships with Boy and Girl Scout groups. During the week of March 13, Boy Scout Andy Cook will begin interior renovation work for his Eagle Scout rank project. Girl Scout Troop 1922 is doing research on the Scout House’s history, helped with a community clean up day and is committed to more restoration efforts.